Central Salford Station’s £5 million transformation unveiled

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly was in Salford today to officially open Salford Central train station following a major transformation.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and Manchester Enterprises have invested £5 million on improvements to the station, which is on the border between Manchester and Salford.

Nearly 500 square metres of glass has been used to create a striking new entrance hall and the Victorian brickwork inside the building has been uncovered and restored. A new ticket office, ramps, lifts, a public address system, customer information screens and CCTV have also been installed, and taxi and bus facilities have been upgraded.

Ruth Kelly said: "Salford now has a safer, more accessible and modern station. Lifts and ramps will make train travel easier for disabled and older people, as well as those travelling with heavy luggage or prams.

"There are improved ticket buying facilities and better links to bus and taxi facilities, to make it even easier for people to travel. Improvements like this encourage more people to use the rail network."

Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of the Passenger Transport Authority, added: "Public transport plays a crucial part in helping an area to grow because it provides connections with the wider world – bringing investment and links to jobs.

"Salford has been developing at a considerable rate. Now it has a train station that reflects its impressive surroundings. I am delighted with what we have achieved at Salford Central and I hope the improvements we have made will encourage even more people to use public transport."

Alison French, Director of Commissioning and Operations at Manchester Enterprises, also commented: "We are delighted with the transformation that has taken place in Salford. We are convinced that this investment will reap rewards for Salford, Manchester and the region as a whole and will improve the passenger experience for people who use the station."

The Passenger Transport Authority invested £3.85 million in the scheme with £1.1 million being provided by Manchester Enterprises – the economic development agency for Greater Manchester – from the European Regional Development Fund.

Salford Central is within easy walking distance of both Manchester City Centre and the Spinningfields business district – the new base for major financial companies, including the Royal Bank of Scotland and Deloitte.

More than £100 million has been invested on projects near the station in the past few years. Nearby regeneration schemes have included the People’s History Museum, the Lowry Hotel, Chapel Wharf and The Edge. The eight railway arches on Chapel Street have also been refurbished.

The £5 million transformation of Salford Central is just start of improvements planned for the station. The Passenger Transport Authority is working with Network Rail, Salford City Council and Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company on proposals to improve links to the surrounding area, and to upgrade platforms so that trains to Liverpool could stop at the station in the future.